Chapter ends for Books Inc.'s owners

Books Inc. owners Anne and Phil Haisley work at their store Monday. The bookstore, cafe and art gallery at 505 NW 13th St. in Gainesville will close in January or February after selling as many of their books as possible because the Haisleys are retiring.

Published: Monday, November 7, 2011 at 10:11 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 7, 2011 at 10:11 p.m.

After trying unsuccessfully to sell their business for a few years, the owners of Books Inc. and the Book Lover's Cafe have decided to retire and close their business early next year after more than 20 years.

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“We're old,” Anne Haisley, 71, said about their reason for closing the business at 505 NW 13th St.

“We're kind of looking forward to a vacation. We haven't had one for a while,” said her husband Phil, 77.

Books Inc. has been selling used books in Gainesville since 1989. The Haisleys opened a vegetarian cafe inside the bookstore in 1994. Revenue from food sales — including the popular Thursday night Ethiopian special -- eventually overtook book sales, Phil Haisley said.

The store also has been a meeting place to numerous community groups, especially writing clubs.

Anne said a group of boys came to play Magic: The Gathering when that game was popular, some of whom now return as adults with their own children.

Word started leaking out about their decision in September when Phil Haisley began calling customers with credit remaining from trading in books.

He said they plan to close in January or maybe February after selling as many of their 70,000 books as possible. They will lower prices after the first of the year. Whatever is left will be sold over the Internet or given away, he said.

“I'm sorry to hear it,” regular customer Frank Orser said Monday after hearing the news. “I was hoping someone would take the business over.”

“It might still happen,” Anne Haisley said.

They have had interested buyers for the property, but those potential buyers were not able to get loans despite having good credit, Anne Haisley said, including a doctor who wanted to open a walk-in clinic.

The hardest part is that they will miss the many customers who have become like family, she said.

Lacey Allen, of Hawthorne, said she has been frequenting Books Inc. since it opened.

“This is like a respite spot,” she said. “Just absolute peace and quiet. There's rooms of books and good vibes. It's heartbreaking to see them go. It really is.”

The Haisleys operated a bookstore in Marion, Ind., for 10 years before moving to Gainesville. They decided to move to Florida after two particularly harsh winters. While traveling on Interstate 75, they stopped to eat at the old Mama Lo's soul food restaurant and decided to look around. Being a university city helped cement their decision, they said.

The first Books Inc. was in the old Gator Plaza, now a vacant field across from campus. They moved into their current location — the former Sabine Music store — in 1993.

In addition to the cafe, they opened an art gallery inside the store in 1995 and have hosted monthly exhibits by local artists.

<p>After trying unsuccessfully to sell their business for a few years, the owners of Books Inc. and the Book Lover's Cafe have decided to retire and close their business early next year after more than 20 years.</p><p>“We're old,” Anne Haisley, 71, said about their reason for closing the business at 505 NW 13th St.</p><p>“We're kind of looking forward to a vacation. We haven't had one for a while,” said her husband Phil, 77.</p><p>Books Inc. has been selling used books in Gainesville since 1989. The Haisleys opened a vegetarian cafe inside the bookstore in 1994. Revenue from food sales — including the popular Thursday night Ethiopian special -- eventually overtook book sales, Phil Haisley said.</p><hr />
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<hr /><p>The store also has been a meeting place to numerous community groups, especially writing clubs.</p><p>Anne said a group of boys came to play Magic: The Gathering when that game was popular, some of whom now return as adults with their own children.</p><p>Word started leaking out about their decision in September when Phil Haisley began calling customers with credit remaining from trading in books.</p><p>He said they plan to close in January or maybe February after selling as many of their 70,000 books as possible. They will lower prices after the first of the year. Whatever is left will be sold over the Internet or given away, he said.</p><p>“I'm sorry to hear it,” regular customer Frank Orser said Monday after hearing the news. “I was hoping someone would take the business over.”</p><p>“It might still happen,” Anne Haisley said.</p><p>They have had interested buyers for the property, but those potential buyers were not able to get loans despite having good credit, Anne Haisley said, including a doctor who wanted to open a walk-in clinic.</p><p>The hardest part is that they will miss the many customers who have become like family, she said.</p><p>Lacey Allen, of Hawthorne, said she has been frequenting Books Inc. since it opened.</p><p>“This is like a respite spot,” she said. “Just absolute peace and quiet. There's rooms of books and good vibes. It's heartbreaking to see them go. It really is.”</p><p>The Haisleys operated a bookstore in Marion, Ind., for 10 years before moving to Gainesville. They decided to move to Florida after two particularly harsh winters. While traveling on Interstate 75, they stopped to eat at the old Mama Lo's soul food restaurant and decided to look around. Being a university city helped cement their decision, they said.</p><p>The first Books Inc. was in the old Gator Plaza, now a vacant field across from campus. They moved into their current location — the former Sabine Music store — in 1993.</p><p>In addition to the cafe, they opened an art gallery inside the store in 1995 and have hosted monthly exhibits by local artists.</p>